Banksy has announced his first official solo exhibition in 14 years, titled 'CUT & RUN: 25 years card labour', which will open at the Gallery of Modern Art in Glasgow. The show features works spanning his entire career, created using original stencils to produce new versions of iconic pieces such as 'Kissing Coppers' and 'Mobile Lovers'.
The exhibition aims to reveal the behind-the-scenes process of Banksy's art, displaying original sketches and repainted stencils. In a statement, Banksy explained that he had kept the stencils hidden for years to avoid evidence of criminal damage, but now exhibits them as art, adding: 'I'm not sure which is the greater crime.'
Highlights include a detailed model of how Banksy shredded his 'Girl With Balloon' painting at Sotheby's in 2018, the Union Flag stab vest worn by Stormzy at Glastonbury 2019, and pieces previously only seen in Bethlehem. The show also references Banksy's 2001 exhibition 'Peace Is Tough' at The Arches in Glasgow.
Banksy chose Glasgow for the exhibition because of his 'favourite work of art in the UK' – the statue of the Duke of Wellington outside the gallery, which has been continuously adorned with a traffic cone for over 40 years. 'CUT & RUN' runs until 28th August.
